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Primary school youngsters are getting to grips with golf, thanks to a new game that makes it possible for kids as young as five to master the basics of the sport.

Hacking it round an adult sized golf course would be impossible for most children.

But the SNAG (Starting New at Golf) game, which utilized oversized plastic clubs and balls and portable flags, allows them to set up a mini-course on a school field and get a taste of the game.

Children at Francis Patton Primary School in Crawl have been among the first in Bermuda to try the game out for size.

Their teacher Garth Thomson said it was the best game he'd seen to introduce youngsters to a sport. He's started teaching it in PE lessons and regularly gets a group together for lunchtime games.

"The kids love it. It's great because it teaches them the right shots and the right way to play. There's no way these kids could play on a full course yet, so it's just a great introduction to the game."

SNAG has only two clubs - a launcher, which is used to drive, pitch and chip the ball - and a roller - used for putting. The kids tee off from a launch pad and instead of trying to putt the ball into a hole, they have to hit the 'flagsticky' - a yellow cylinder and flag which makes for a portable target.

Teachers can also use hula hoops to instruct their pupils - using easy to understand clock reference points - on the right backswing and follow through for each shot.

Quinton Sherlock, of the Bermuda Golf Association, has been instrumental in bringing the game to the island. It is hoped that the association can host tournaments for primary and middle school age children and teach more youngsters the fundamentals of golf at the earliest possible age.

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